The Kerala government on Thursday unveiled a first-of-its-kind Transgender Policy, aimed at ending the societal stigma towards the sexual minority group and ensure non-discriminatory treatment.

The much-anticipated policy enforces the constitutional rights of transgenders, taking into account a Supreme Court judgement on the same in 2014 and the findings of a recent survey on the minority group. It covers all the categories of transgenders, including male to female and intersex people.

The policy emphasises the rights of transgenders to self-identify themselves as man, woman or transgender, as stated in the Supreme Court judgement. It also ensures the group equal access to social and economic opportunities, resources and services, right to equal treatment under the law, right to live life without violence and equitable right in all decision making bodies.

Kerala minister for social justice MK Muneer said it is for the first time that any state government is framing out a policy for transgenders, adding that the state has set a model for the entire country by formulating it. He said, "We assure the transgenders in the state that your freedom and movement will be taken care of by the Kerala government."